Полиция Виксбурга запустила программу U-Turn для предотвращения преступности среди несовершеннолетних

Vicksburg police launch U-Turn program to steer juveniles away from crime amid rise in youth violence As Vicksburg continues to see an increase in crimes involving young people, the Vicksburg Police Department is trying a different approach, one focused on prevention instead of punishment. In recent months, the city has investigated multiple shootings, including the death of a 14-year-old, while also seeing an increase in vehicle break-ins and other crimes involving juveniles. Vicksburg police Chief Larry Burns previously told 16 WAPT News that 80 to 85 percent of crime in the city is connected to juveniles. Now, the department hopes its new U-Turn Program can help change that trend. Launched in May, the initiative is the department’s first juvenile intervention program. It combines mentorship, accountability and education to help young people avoid becoming repeat offenders. Deputy Chief Tommy Curtis said he’s seen firsthand the lasting impact youth violence has on families and the community. “I know both sides — one family member is going to prison and one family member burying a child. You know that that’s disheartening to the community," Curtis said. Curtis said nearly 30 young people have already participated in the program. Some are ordered to attend by a judge after coming through the juvenile justice system, while others choose to participate voluntarily. “So all the juveniles that came to the doors of the Vicksburg Police Department automatically U-Turn. She ordered those kids to attend that U-Turn program. No, I don’t want to come, or I don’t want to go. No, you have to go because you’re ordered by the judge,” Curtis said. Participants attend sessions focused on leadership, decision-making, and learning about the law. They also spend time interacting with officers through activities like basketball, giving them an opportunity to build positive relationships with law enforcement. Curtis said the goal is to provide guidance many young people may not receive elsewhere. “We are also the bigger parents of the parents because our job is to make sure that we’re telling them when they’re wrong and also praise them when they’re right,” Curtis said. The department also pairs participants with mentors after they complete the program to help keep them on the right path. “We’re not kicking them out to the streets per se without a provision. We’re kicking them out with a mentor that’s gonna be checking on them at school. It’s going to be another person that’s being a village,” Curtis said. Vicksburg police said the U-Turn program is about more than reducing crime. They hope it gives young people the support they need before another arrest, another victim or another family is forever impacted.